Thiruvananthapuram: Opposition Leader Ramesh Chennithala on Tuesday hit out at the LDF Government for unleashing brutal police attack on the agitating students and youths in various parts of the state. He said during his tenure police had been given strict direction that they should not hit the agitators on the head during such agitations. “As Home Minister I had given these instructions which had brought down head injuries during agitations. But today the cops crossed all limits,” he said.
Chennithala said the cops went on a rampage when KPCC president V.M. Sudheeran was at the agitation pandal in front of the secretariat. Without any provocation the police hurled tear gas sheels and stun grenades towards the pandal. It may be recalled that LDF had raised a hue and cry when a grenade fell near the opposition leader. He said Dean Kuriakose and C.R. Mahesh who are on hunger strike were shifted to hospital following breathlessness and discomfort.
Even after Sudheeran intervened and brought the situation under control, the police resorted to another round of attack leading to minor injuries to the KPCC president. Chennithala said many leaders and workers had been injured in the police attack and they are admitted to different hospitals in various parts of state. LDF will not be able to break the peaceful strike through police brutality.
Students were beaten outside University College, inside AR Camp and in police vehicles. Chennithala criticised chief minister for belittling youth Congress agitation . “Pinarayi said channels had stage managed the black flag demonstration the other day. But that is a white lie. Youth Congress state secretary Balu, former district president Rinku, workers Hari and Sajir had showed black to the chief minister,” he said. “Pinarayi may speak in this language within his party or state secretariat. But he should speak responsibly in House. We are MLAs elected by people and we cannot be cowed down by such tactics,” he added.
